Portable ladder and adjustable platform assembly



Sept, 18, 1945. B. c. LORD 2,384,939

PORTABLE LADDER AND ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 29, 1945 4Sheet;sSheet 1 Inventor gyro C: [01% cam W 5 B. c. LORD 7 9 PORTABLE LADDER AND ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM ASSEMBLY Sept. 18, 1945.

4 Shee ts-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 29, 1945 I m'enror fliyron C lord @Ifll and - 1w um um Sept. 18, 1945. B. c. LORD I 2,384,939

PORTABLE LADDER AND ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor Jiyron c 0261.

VB. c. LORD Sept. 18, 1945.

POR TABLE LADDER AND ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM ASSEMBLY Fi led Jan. 29, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 o H! 1 i o F ll ill ll I A N\\\ Illl lll! l lllllllflllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlrlilllllillllllilllllllva Inventor @yron lord dad Patented Sept. 18, 1945 PATENT o'FncE lll.

P R'TABLE'LADDER AND ADJUSTABLE PLATFORM ASSEMBLY Byron 0. Lord, Clayton, Mich. Application J anuary 29, 1945, Serial No. 575,095

8Claims. rot-am n) This invention relates to a novel and improved portable ladder and an associated adjustable platform structure, the arrangement beingsuch as to provide a multiple-purpose scaffold which is justable, portable ladder and the associated independently adjustable platform means assembled for use as a fruit pickersscaffold.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken approxiespecially, but not necessarily, adapted for-use t mately on the plane of the'line 22 of Figure l,

by fruitpickers in apple orchards and the like.:

Although the-complete structure is aptly sus- Tceptibleof use by painters and other employing scaffolds, it is, as before stated, primarily intended for use in orchards and will be primarilystudl0 iedand considered in the lightofthe latter implications. I'o th is end, it will be noted that an therewithto permit it to be tilted toward and from the tree, or tilted in opposite directions at right angles to the tree, this with the thought of vmaintaining the ladder close to the limbs of the looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a slightly enlarged detail section taken approximately on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 1. h

Figure 3a is'an edge view of Figure 3, that is, a view observing the same in a direction from right to left. I V V Figure 4 is a section, slightly enlarged, on the plane of the line 4 -4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. Figure 5 and 5a are detail plan and edge elevations of an auxiliary extension plank used in connection with the platforms.

Figure 6 is an elevational view, which may be t ee ata t mes and, also in a s b t a rpeh 'sa d to be an edge elevation, or ,perhaps an end pendicular position regardless of the fact that the supporting base, such as a tractor or the like,

rnay besitting on uneven ground Another object of the invention has to do with such as a truck, tractor or the like, there being pair of Wing-like horizontal platforms forming walkways, these being carried byspecial adapter devices shiftably rnounted on therails of the ladview, this disclosing the complete assemblage and looking the direction of the arrows 6 in FigureL a Figure '7 is an enlarged detailing sectional view g n r l mounted ladder 1 a portable a e g taken approximately on the plane of the line 1 Figur s is an enlarged view showing a fragmentary portion of the extensible and retractible .braceand adjusting means for the ladder, this and said p o s having i e ent piv- 3 being Of;.th e parts indicated at 8 -8 in Figure 6.

otal connections and associated means, whereby they may be swung in horizontal planes-about vertical axes, permittingthem to occupy positions sufiiciently close to the treeto nest in and Figure 9 a longitudinal sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 9-9 of Figure-10isanenlarged view of the side tilt adhug the limbs. Thus, the platforms are mov- ,35jj q lrketaihmg means for th ladder, t i

able inlcopjunctionwith the tiltable ladder and are also independently adjustable,- whereby to provide a highly adaptable and practicable platform or scaffold structure.

being on the line Iiii 0 ofFig'ure Referring to the drawings by distinguishing reference numerals, it will beseen that the ladder is generally denoted by the numeral [5, this More specifically, novelty is predicated on-the flc o t ith a 'has plate 46 on a support H.

platform and adapterunit which connects said platform to the vertical rails of the ladder, these fixtures being slid up and down by simpl lifting and lowering cables and operating, Winches supportimay-be a part of a tractor, or apart of :a simple wheeled cart or any other portable devicesufficient to; conveniently bring the ladder in toward and then shifted around the tree. The

therefor, this providing another contributing facllggwerjparppf H1? ladderis' attached to a cylindm tor to the adjustability, and suitability of the structure which I consider as appropriate in fulfilling my aims and the requirements of the trade. qOther features and advantages will, become oell-mount it! having a ball and socke-t connection onnected with the base l6 and providing a versal-mount for-theladder as a unit. On one e nd-oftheimount I8 is asuitable yokeZfl having more readily apparent from the following descrip- 5 f fi Q 2 ing 10 mounted fo *tion and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are "employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is an ele'vationalviewshowingfanadland socketfconnection; as at with the'ibase sition of the tractor or other part carrying the".

support [1. a

In addition to having the sidewise=tiltgof the ladder for vertical adjustment purposesfI provide means to regulate the angularity-orposition Referring to this means, it will be{ seen that it comprises a ball, jointing" member 25 rigidly mounted atop theextension 26', this having ball and socket connection, as at 21, with a tubular sheath 28. A'toothed rack bar 29 is telescopically mounted in thesheath and the rack bar is connected with the'fork arms 30 pivotallyconnected to the side rails of the ladder. I provide a pinion 3ladjusted by a hand crank 32 and this pinion is retained by 'a pawl'33 having a retaining spring 34, the, pawl being slidable througha suitable accommodation fixture 35 (see Figs. 8 and 9 in particular). 'It is evident that this arrangement provides a sort of an adjusting jack for moving the ladder toward and from the tree and thefball and socket joint 21 accommodates the sidewise tilting positions of said ladder.

I desire to call attention'now to the platform assembly. 'I he platforms are the-same in constructionand a description of one will suflice for both. Each platform is denoted by the numeral 36 and has a suitable hand rail 31 along its rear edge. This is on the edge remote from -th'e tree, leaving the opposite'edge free to permit pickers to have convenient access to the fruit onthe limbs of the tree. An adapter device or fixture 38, unitarily speaking, is provided for shiftably and adjustably mounting the platform on the adjacent rail of the latter. Each fixture comprises upper and lower sleeves 38'and 39 which slidably embrace the side rails and are slotted to clear the rungs 40 between said side rails 4|.- Actually, the sleeves are connectedtogether by a strap or web 42. The upper sleeve is pliovided'with a lateral extension 43 to which the inner end of the platform is pivotally connected," as at- 44. The pivot is provided with a gear sector 45 having a worm 46, the latter on thesleeve, operatively'connected therewith, the worm being provided with a hand crank 41. Thus, th platform may be swung on avertical axis i'n'horizontal plane with respect to the ladder. The lower sleeve is provided with asimilar lateral extension 48 to which a diagonal brace 49 is pivotally connected. This lower sleeve is also provided with a stabilizing and anti-friction roller which I runs against the outer surface of the ladder rail 4|. similar roller 5|, but thisengages the inner sur- The upper sleeve i's'also provided with a carried by the sleeves: and slidablyfengaging'the.

ladder rails prevent binding and permit the en'- tire assembly, the platform assembly, to ride up and down on the rails. To accomplish this hoist, I provide suitable sheaves 52 having cables 53 connected therewith. The lower ends of the 5 cables are wound on suitable Windlass devices 54. Thus, the entire platform assembly can be made to rise and fall and the platforms can be placed on th same plane with each other or one can; ebe g'placedin onerelevationi and; the other one at "another elevatlon, 1 depending on the requirements of the particular job undertaken. .1 7; Reference being had to Figure 4, it will be seen that; .each adapter unit 31 is provided, at least on one 'of the sleeves, with a latch, that is, a {5' safety latch 55. This is pivotally mounted and operated by a pull cord 56. The latch is substantially V-shaped and has a detent 51 to engage the round or rung of the ladder. This is an automatic safety feature and prevents dropping of the platforms in case the Windlass-controlled cables should break.

It is sometimes diflicult to get the platforms in close to certain awkwardly arranged limbs of the tree. I find, therefore, thatit is desirable to have a sort of an extension plank or platform. I have shown one of these in Figures 5 and 5a. ,Each extension plank is denoted by the numeral 58 and has an offset L-shaped bracket 59 to rest on the main platform. Due to this shape of the plank and the bracket, it is possible to simply rest the plank at any desired angle on the main platform and to position the hanger bracket 59 of the plank 58 on one of the limbs to provide v what might be called an auxiliary catwalk. Consequently, any apples which cannot be reached conveniently from the adjusted main platforms can be picked by walking in toward the trunk ofthe tre on the hand-placed planks 58.

'In using-the device, the tractor, truck or whatever other mobile vehicle is employed is moved up toward the tree and then the ladder '5, if necessary, is adjusted so that it is substantially perpendicular or at whatever angle is best suited for the inclination of the tree. The ladder can then be swung in close to the tree and the platforms raised orl'owered to the desired elevation. They, too, can be'swung in by the worm and gear "sector arrangement so that they willhug the tree limbs. Thus, all necessary adjustments are in- 0 corporated in the simple platform and ladder assembly to accommodate the ends desired.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description in conjunction with th invention as illustrated in the drawings will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding'andimpression of the alleged'features of merit and'novelty sufficient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed. f I

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be-resortd'to in actual practice so long as no departure is'mad from the invention as claimed. 7 T V I claim: 1

v1. In a structural assemblage of the class described, a portable relativelyfixed support, a ladder, means rigidly mounted on the bottom of the ladderand connected to the support by a universal joint, a crank-equipped" universally mounted feed screw on said support, and'a'noperating and adjusting connection between the feed screw and ladder for adjusting the ladder lll. predetermined directions in respect to the support, together with-a pinion'and :rack bar device, said rack bar being connected with the ladder and also universally connected with the support 2. In a structural assemblage of the class described, a relatively stationary support adapted to be mounted on a wheeled base, tractor or the like, a fruit-picking ladder, a ball and socket connection between the lower portion of the ladder and said support, fork arms pivotally connected to the side rails of the ladder at intermediate points of said side rails, a rack bar connected to said fork arms, a sheath, said rack bar being slidable in said sheath, a pinion on the sheath for operating the rack bar, and a bracket for connection with said support, said bracket having a universal joint associated therewith.

3. In a structural assemblage of the class described, a relatively stationary support adapted to be mounted on a wheeled base, tractor or the like, a fruit-picking ladder, a ball and socket connection between the lower portion of the ladder and said support, fork arms pivotally connected to the side rails of the ladder at intermediate points of said side rails, a rack bar connected to said fork arms, a sheath, said rack bar being slidable in said sheath, a pinion on the sheath for operating the rack bar, and a bracket for connection with said support, said bracket having a universal joint associated therewith, a vertical feed screw having a ball and socket connection at its lower end with said support, said feed screw being provided with a hand crank, a headed pin mounted on said feed screw, and means operatively connecting said headed pin with the adjacent portion of the ladder for adjusting the ladder in directions to permit it to be elevated in a position substantially rpendicular to a horizontal plane.

4. In a fruit pickers ladder and platform assembly, a ladder, a pair of platforms extending from opposite sides of the ladder at substantial right angles to the longitudinal rails of the ladder, adapter devices slidably mounted on said rails, said platforms being pivotally connected to said adapted devices, means for swinging the platforms on said pivotal connections toward and from the tree, sheaves on the ladder rails, cables trained over said sheaves and connected to said adapter devices, and winches with which the lower ends of the cables are connected.

5. A fruit pickers ladder and platform assembly of the class described comprising a portable support, a ladder universally mounted on said support, selectively usable independently mounted adjusting devices for moving the ladder toward and from the tree, and positioning and keeping the ladder at the desired perpendicular placements with respect to the ground, adapter devices slidably mounted on the ladder rails, a

pair of platforms pivotally connected to said adapter devices, and raising and lowering means for the adapter devices.

6. As a component part of a structure of the class described, a sleeve provided with an antifriction roller, an extension on said sleeve, a platform pivotally connected to said extension, said platform being provided with a guard rail, a gear sector carried by the pivotal connection, a worm carried by the sleeve and provided with a crank, said worm being connected with said gear sector.

7. In a structure of the class described, a pair of longitudinal sleeves, a connecting plate adjoining said sleeves, said sleeves being adapted to be slidably mounted on a side rail on a fruitpicking ladder, said sleeves being provided with anti-friction rollers arranged on alternate sides to engage opposite faces of the rail, a platform connected with one sleeve, adjusting means for said platform, a brace connected with the platform and also connected at its inner end with the remaining sleeve.

8. A fruit pickers ladder and platform assemblage of the class described comprising a portable but relatively fixed support, a pickers ladder having means at its bottom universally mounting same on said support to permit it to be swung toward and from a tree and from side to side to assume a proper perpendicular position in respect to the inclination of the ground and support, a manually regulated device for controlling the universal joint in order to move the ladder in various directions in respect to the plane of the support and the adjacent tree, additional mechanical manually operable means for maintaining the ladder at the prescribed perpendicular placement position, a pair of platforms extending from opposite sides of the ladder rails and at approximate right angles to said rails, said platforms being provided along their longitudinal edges with guard rails, said guard rails being positioned on the edges remote from the tree to facilitate use and maneuvering by the pickers, adapter devices independently and slidablymounted on the respective rails, said platforms being pivotally connected with said adapter devices, and manually regulated mechanical means for adjusting and holding the platforms in positions desired, whereby to permit said platforms to be disposed in positions converging with respect to each other and the intervening ladder and to thus assume places of vantage close to the limbs of the tree.

BYRON C. LORD. 

